Activator for wells



Lan E r11."-

c. c. CARTER 2,386,593

ACTIVATOR FOR WELLS Filed Apri; 1e, 1942 @'QJQ. {f1/7.5. Td I I y Y;

S I@ ff 110 Tj!! 71,57 #56' f "7**55 ZJ. ll t L "i z3 l y Z5 Z4 L @Q10 .y ,l

g f Z6 n i i Z5 n n I n i 4 5. C/rfr C? (Win55 I INVENTOR.

i UNITED Patented Oct. 9, 1945 i stesse ACTIVATOB FOB WELLS Clyde C. Carter, Dallas, Tex., asslsnor of twentylive per eentto C. T. Stewart, Baytown, Tex.

Application April 1s, 1942. serial No. 439,525-

s claims. (ci. 16s-2o):

This invention relates to oil producing equip ment and it has particular reference to apparatus for maintaining optimum conditions at the ybottom of the well for maximum production of oil in pumping.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for opening the well to the source of production by a slight lowering of -the pipe string inthe well, which action is instrumental in raising the valves in the string off their seats and which enables the operators to introduce into the oil bearing formation live steam or other mediumtoY eifect disintegration of accumulations ofpsilt, scale, mud, sand, lime, parailln, or ,other substances tending to lower the production rate at the source or in the pipe. Another object of the invention is to provide a simple device designed to be suspended below the working barrel on the pipe string and which requires nov attention once it is operatively installed and while its function is most advantaf thewell and is designed to prevent or reduce to a negligible minimum the present wasteful .practice .in producing crude oil by eliminating erosion in the oil bearing structure which prolongs the usefulness of the valves by preventingv cutting f out, pitting and needless. wear on these parts by such erosion and further, by keeping the fluid eduction pipes free of parafnn deposits which, if permitted to accumulate, interfere materially with the flow of oil.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide fluid inlet ports. through which iluid is constrained by the pumping equipment to pass into the pipe string from the source, and which ports. are so shaped as to prevent turbulence or undue agitation exteriorly of the device likely to disturb the sand, silt, and erosive substances immediatelyrsurrounding the same during inoperative periods of the. device.

With the foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has further and lesser objects as well as certain salient features of accomplishment,v to become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing the inventionin vertical. section. l Y

Figure 2 is a side elevational view,VY with por tionsroi' the outer and intermediate'tubes broken'A ta'yivyl to show the innerer centrally disposed' Figure 3 is a detail view in vertical section showingA a morek or less conventional standing and traveling valve assembly vand illustrating in part the manner in which the drops of these valves are elevated.

Figure 4 isa transverse sectional view on lin I-l on Figure 2, and y Figure '5 is a detail view of the guide for one of the valve openingv rods, taken on line 5-5 on Figure 1. f 'l Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, reference is primarily made to Figures l and 2 wherein is shown the well-cas,- ing I0 next adjacent the bottom of the well. The device oi' the invention is attached to and depends from the lower end of the pump working barrel l I which latter, in turn. issuspended by the well tubing (not shown). The position of the device in the well is immediately below the level of the well fluid therein.

The device consists of an inner central tube I2 which may be in sections as shown, the upper section having its upper end threaded for connection to the working barrel II. This section is joined to the lower section by means of a collar I3 and which collar, in fact, serves to support the remainder of the device on the inner tube' I2. Interposed between the two sections Vof this tube, at the collar I3 is a guide spider Il (Fig. 5)

through a central opening in which, the valve lifting rod I5 reciprocates when the device is operated. Further reference to thisv rod I5 .will be made presently.

The inner tube I2 is provided with elongated slots I6 in its walls which serve as uid inlet ports during inoperative periods of the device and, mounted on the bottom of the inner tube 121s a swab or piston .I-'I which snugly conforms to the inner wall surface of the intermediate tube I8 slidably surrounding the tube I2. This piston may be attached to the innertube in any suitable manner-'but in the present case. it is provided with` a'. threaded pin I9 which enters the bottom ofthe said tube I2. The packing of which the piston I'l is composed may be of leather, rubber, or other material on which the oil will have no deleterious effects. 'Further reference to the piston will be again made in the course of the description of operation.

The intermediate tube Il concentricaily embraces'the lowersection of the inner tube l2 and while other forms of connection between these tubesmay be employed, the form shown consists of turning the' upper end of tube I8 in- .ward to'snugly flt'the upper section of tube I2- and the ange thus produced lies between the upper-'end of the collar Il anda packing gland made up of a collar 2l into whichk is threaded a nut 2l to compress packing washer 22 firmly against the walls of the inner tube I2 to provide a i'luid tight connection as the latter is reciprocated. It will be observed that the intermediate tube I8 has longitudinally parallel slots 28 spaced about its lower end. It has been found that in providing slots, instead of perforations, much of the turbulent action of fluid entering the tubes is dispensed with.

The slots 28 do not extend the entire distance to the bottom of. tube I8 but end above the junction of tube I8 with a surrounding shell or outer casing 28 whose upper and lower ends --are welded to the tube I8 at a, as will be later explained. Thus the slots 28 are housed in by the surrounding shell. Below the junction of shell 28 with tube I8 outlet ports 40 are formed in the tube I8 to open outwardly of the device. Below the ports 40, the lower end of tube I8 is closed. When the intermediate .tube I8 and casing 28 are suspended in the well on the inner tube I2, the upper inturned end of intermediatetube i8 rests on the upper end of collar I8 and the piston .I1 on the lower end of tube l2 closes the outlet ports 4D in the tube I8. Spring 28 is'arranged to normally hold the upper end of tube I8 in contact with collar I8 with piston I1 closing ports 48 so long as the device is suspended in the well out of engagement with the well bottom or any obstruction in the well which the tube i8 or casing 28 might engage while being lowered in the well.

Extending diametrically through longitudinally disposed slots 24 in the upper portion of the inner tube I2 is a cross-head 25. 'I'he ends of this cross-head extend through the walls of the intermediate tube I8 and are anchored exteriorlythereof as by-bradding. In this manner, the inner tube may be moved axially downwardly in the intermediate tube to the extent permitted by the slot 24 but resisting this action is a spring 28, wound about the inner tube I2` and whose upper end is hooked over or otherwise attached to the cross-head 25, as shown. The lower end of the spring is hooked into an' aperture 2l in the wall of the tube I 2.

Surrounding the intermediate tube I8 is a shell cr outer casing 28 which, in the present method of attachment, has both ends turned inwardly to snugly embrace the tube I8 adjacent its upper and lower ends and is welded thereto at a. This outer casing also has parallel slots 28 arranged in the upper portion thereof so that the liquid amuent will be constrained to traverse a tortuous route to enter the well tubing and thus be divested of much of the entrained sandv which otherwise would subject the valve drops and seats, as well as the pump packing to abrasive wear.

Referring again to the rod I5, it will be observed inFigure 1 that this rod has on its lower end a stirrup 80 throughwhich the cross-head 25 passes. After passing through the guide I4, this rod extends upward into the working barrel I I and terminates immediately below the ball of the standing valve 3 I. A seat 82, carried on the upper end of the rod I5 lifts the ball when the device is tendant valve lift od 88 which has the function of raising the ball of the traveling valve 84 simultaneously with the action of the lift rod I5 in raising the drop of the standing valve 8 I. When both rods operate, as will be explained, the well is opened from top to bottom to admit steam or other agent thereinto when introduced at the surface as a cleaning agent or regurgitant.

ing valve ball. A washer 88, forming a shoulder on the rod 88 below the spring is urged upwardly to compress the spring when the rod is elevated by the ball drop of the standing valve immediately below the lower end of the rod 88.

In operation, the device is mounted on the lower end of the working barrel II with piston I1 closing ports 40 and lowered into the well to a point therein where it will be completely submerged in well fluid. 'I'he device immediately fills with fluid, the latter entering through slots 29 of the casing, slots 28 of the intermediate tube and slots I8 of the inner tube I2 to be in Vreadiness forelevationby reciprocation of the pump in the working barrel, in the conventional manner. The device remains in this position until production falls below normal by reason of accumulations of silt, sand, or the like about the iiuid inlets, depositsof paramn in the formation or tubing or for other reasons.

The devicel is operated by lowering the entire tubing string in the well -until the lower end of the intermediate tube I8 engages the bottom of the hole or until the outer casing 28 engages the shoulder on which the well casing I Il rests. Downward movement of the outer shell or casing 28 and intermediatetube I8 is thereby suspended but the inner tube i2 `continues downward a short distance sumcient to move the piston I'I from a position covering the outlet ports 40 to a position in the lowermost portion of the tube I8, as illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1, thereby opening these ports to the well. Simultaneously with and due to the lowering action of the tubing, the ball of the standing valve 8| is raised by the rod I5 since the latter is stationary with the intermediate tube i8 and has ceased movement. As the standing valve bali is raised, it engages the rod 88 thereabove which rises and engages the ball 84 of the traveling valve. Thus, the entire tubing string is open from top to bottom. i

- After live steam, chemicals, o r other agent has been introduced into the well, usually under pressure, to pass into the oil bearing formation at the bottom, through ports 40, the tubing is raised to its original position and the displaced parts of the device will be returned also to their original A positions by the spring 26 whose sole function is to close the outlet ports 40 and insure reinstatement of'l the valve drops for continued pumping operation which, due to the cleansing action of the steam or other agent, willv result in increased production, attended by smoother pump operation and longer serviceability,

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modication as may be 'construed `to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is: Y

l. An activating device for wells including in combination with a working barrel attached to the well tubing, traveling and standing valves associated with said working barrel, a central tube connected to and suspended below-saidtubingf A, negates' Y `mediate member -below the longitudinal slots string, having longitudinal slots circumierel Y tially spaced about its upper end portion, a piston carried by the lower end portion of said tnbe, a second tube closed at its' lower end and slidably surrounding said central tube and having longitudinal slots circumferentially spaced -about lits lower end, terminating at their lower ends a substantial distance above the lower end of said second tube and in which said piston is received, said second tube enclosing the slots of said central tube and having uid outlet ports below the' longitudinal slots in said second tube adapted to be covered by said piston, when the latter is in its upper position, spring means 'normally urging said central and second tubes into relative positions where the piston covers'the outlet ports and for resisting relative longitudinal displacement of said tubes to uncover said ports, a shell xed to and closed at both ends about said second tube above the outlet ports thereof and having slots longitudinally disposed and circumferentially spaced about its upper end to enclose the slots of said second tube and cooperating means in tlxed relation to said second tube for opening the traveling and standing valves of said tubing string upon downward movement of thelatter to effect longitudinal displacement of said central tube and said piston with respect to said second tube and shell to uncover said outlet ports.

- 2. An activating device for wells comprising in combination with a working barrel attached to a tubing string, traveling and standing valves associated with said working barrel, a series of concentrically related tubular members, the central one of said tubular members Vbeing slotted above its midsection and connected to and suspended below said tubing string and'longitudinally slidable withan intermediate one of said tubular members, said intermediate tubular member having a closed lower end and slidably embracing said central member and having slots therein below its midsection, whose lower ends terminate well above the lower end of said tube, a uid outlet port in said intermediate tubular member below said slotsa piston carried by said` central tubular member and covering said iluid outlet port, in its upper position the outer of said tubular members constituting 'a shell closed aboutl said 4intermedisltte member above said port and embracing the slots o said intermediate member and itself having slots above its midsection, spring mean normally urging said central and intermediate tubular members into rotative Vpositions .where said piston covers said outlet 'port and for resisting displacement Aof said central tubular member to-actuate said piston to open said port and means actuated upon said displacement, ef-

fective to open said tubing valves to downward.

passage pf iluidthrough said tubing string and outletv prt. f

3. A well activating device comprising in combination with'a working barrel attached to the welltubing, traveling and standing valves associated with said barrel, a seriesof concentrically related and spaced tubular members suspended Ythereinand:said'vshelL all but the central one of said'membersibeing closed at both ends, the central member vbeing slidable longitudinally in' the intermediate Vmember when "said tubing string.V is

lowered', a .piston carried by said centrall member adapted 'to cover the outlet port of said intermediate member in raised position of said control memben spring means normally urging said central and intermediate members into position to1 dispose said piston over said outlet port and for yieldably resisting sliding movement of said central member and means in fixed relation to the ber in concentric land spaced relation to said tubular body. enclosing the slots of said body and itself having slots below its midsection but terminating a substantial distance above its lower end, said tubular member further having closed ends and capable of limited displacement on said body, and provided with a uid outlet port adjacent its lower end below the slots therein, a piston carried by said tubular body adapted to cover said y outlet port in raised position yof said activator, a

shell surrounding said tubular member above its outlet port, embracingthe slots in saidmember and closed except for slots above its midsection, spring means connecting said tubular body and said member, normally urging the body and member into relative position to dispose said piston over said outlet port and yieldably resisting dis- 40 placement of said tubular member relative to said body and means rendered operative by the displacement of said tubular member to lift the valves in said tubing to open the latter to the downward passage of fluid through said activator centrically brelated tubular members, all exceptl I the central one being closed at their ends about companion members, the central one of which is suspended from'the bottom of'said tubing string and arranged for limited sliding movement in the intermediate one of the companion' tubular members when said tubing string is lowered to the bottom of a-well, iluid inlet land outlet'ports in the lower end of said intermediate tubular member, slots ln the upper portion of said central member. slots also in the lowerv portion of said intermediate member but terminating above said ports, the outer of said tubular members constituting a shell, whose lower closed end is above the ports in said intermediate member and itself having slots therein above its midsection, a piston covering the outlet ports of said intermediate member when said piston is in raised position, means carried by said central member for actuating sald piston to open the outlet ports of said Aintermediate member upon downward movement of saldwell tubing and means simultaneously actuated for opening the valves in said well tubing to open the latter to the downward passage of uid into said well through said outlet ports.

v CLYDE C. GARTER. 

